DoubleTree Hilton JB Review [2020]

When we were looking for the best place to stay in Johor Bahru for us, one place kept coming up as not only having a top location central to everything near the causeway to Singapore, but also having top rate reviews, comfortable rooms and a great pool area – all the things we were looking for!

That one place is the DoubleTree By Hilton Johor Bahru. Located just to the north of the Komtar JBCC shopping mall, it’s rated 4-stars and had everything we wanted for our quick stopover in Johor Bahru on the way to Tioman Island.

Of course, things can always seem better online than they are in real life so in this DoubleTree Hilton JB review, we walk you through every aspect of this hotel including our opinions so you can decide if it’s the right choice for you in this DoubleTree Hilton JB blog.

DoubleTree Hilton JB Review

Lobby lounge area.

As mentioned above, the DoubleTree Hotel JB is in a great location for downtown attractions, shopping and transport. We could walk to Komtar in about 5 minutes and there are also some nice looking restaurants within moments if you want more choices for food.

Our check in experience was fast and efficient and made special by the fact that we were each given a warm cookie. Such a nice touch!

DoubleTree By Hilton Rooms

Our double room

The rooms are a good international 4-star standard. They are comfortable, modern and have everything you need.

We booked the cheapest double room and we did find it a touch on the small side especially when you have two double beds like in our room. But this isn’t a huge deal.

Our room had a desk area, cable TV and a small bar fridge (empty). There was tea and coffee making facilities, a cupboard and somewhere to put a suitcase. The room was well designed and the beds super comfortable.

The bathroom has a good range of toiletries and I was impressed by a sign stating that they could bring you other types of toiletries if you needed them.

I like this touch

There are also other room types including suites and executive rooms with access to a lounge.

I have two complaints about the room, however. Firstly, I had the minifridge of the coldest setting and it didn’t do much at all.

Secondly, and more importantly, the shower was really badly designed. The door hinges are on the wrong side and you have to squeeze into the shower to get past the door then squeeze into the corner to shut it. Not only would you not want to be overweight or you wouldn’t be getting in the shower area, but I also found I couldn’t open it again when I shut it!

It was wedged completely shut and took my 7 year old pushing on it from the outside with all his weight while i pulled with all of mine to get it open. Lucky I wasn’t travelling alone or I would have been waiting for housekeeping to get back out! In the nude :-/

The problematic shower. Stupidly, the door only opened inwards and the opening was on the side closest to the camera

It’s a shame that this was the case because we LOVED the hotel otherwise but this is a big fail.

DoubleTree Hilton JB Restaurant Options

Tosca

There are two restaurants as well as a lobby lounge. We tried them both! There is also room service.

On level 13 by the pool, you can find the Tosca DoubleTree JB. It’s a beautiful area with indoor and outdoor dining by the pool with views over the Straits of Johor. The food is great although I do think it’s a shame to eat Italian when you could eat the awesome local food.

The Makan Kitchen DoubleTree JB is next to the lobby and just fantastic. I will talk more about their breakfast buffet in the next section, but at any time of day you can enjoy locally inspired options. The best part is live cooking stations so you can see food being made and know it’s fresh.

DoubleTree By Hilton JB Buffet

Just a small part of the amazing breakfast buffet

The DoubleTree Hilton JB breakfast is one of the best I have had anywhere and I have had many breakfast buffets. It is unreal and I could come back here for the DoubleTree Johor Bahru buffet alone!

For a start, it is just huge and goes on and on and on. But not by repeating the same food options but by having lots of stations, including people manning them and cooking in front of you. This includes an egg station, Indian area, Chinese, Malay and on and on and on.

Yummy yummy

Everything is incredibly well presented, fresh and delicious. I actually started by eating a western breakfast then I had an Indian one then Chinese dumplings and then nasi lemak!

It was all so good. My only complaint is that it was so good that I overate and felt sick 🙂

I am not sure about the DoubleTree Hilton JB buffet price as we booked a room rate which had this included which is what I recommend – it’s worth the tiny bit extra and then some! The breakfast buffet is at the Makan Kitchen at DoubleTree By Hilton Johor Bahru.

This DoubleTree Hilton JB buffet review gives it a huge thumbs up!

A tiny bit more of the breakfast buffet

DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru Facilities

There are many facilities at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel JB. In addition to the lounges and restaurants mentioned above, there is a DoubleTree Hilton JB spa by the lift lobby on the ground floor and an amazing pool area on the 13th floor.

I wish I had had more time to spend a huge amount of time by that pool!

There is also a gym by the pool which is well equipped with nice views. There is a business centre on site too.

Families can access cribs, high chairs and playpens.

There is also the usual services you would expect from a good hotel like 24 hour reception, luggage storage, tour bookings, etc.

This does not do justice to the amazing pool area

Final Words

The DoubleTree By Hilton JB is my new favourite hotel in this part of the world and I’m sure I will be back.

From the great rooms to the great pool area to the great location, I was won over anyway. But add in the absolutely superb DoubleTree Hotel JB buffet, and I can’t wait to go back.

The only disappointment is the shower. They really need to fix that! Hopefully, it’s just a problem in room 1619. But otherwise, this is a top hotel that I highly recommend.

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Sharon is an Australian who has fallen in love with Malaysia! She explores Malaysia multiple times a year, often with her kids, and has previously lived in Penang.

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We’re a family of five that loves exploring Malaysia. We share this love with you here with all the best places to visit, stay and everything else you need to know for great times in Malaysia!Read more.